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Hummer Winblad Venture Partners CERTIFIED

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FIRM OVERVIEW: Medium Private VC founded in 1989 based out of San Francisco, USA (US West)

FIRM DESCRIPTION: Hummer Winblad is an experienced early stage firm characterized by several key qualities:
1) exclusive focus on early stage software - infrastructure, application, and consumer.
2) long history of partnership and tenure, the partners have worked together for a total of 80 years executing the strategy and helping to build great software companies
3) founder friendly and active, yet patient, partners with management

I pitched Lars the other day and it was a great meeting. Despite, he isn't going to invest but I appreciate his straight forward answer and reasoning. Great communication from their team while setting up and rescheduling the meeting. Office staff was nice and accommodating.

Posted by
fearless
on 2010-11-12

PUBLIC:

My first time around the block and coming out of the dot bust, these guys (and gal) believed in me when few would. They know software and invested in my SaaS play even though everyone else had written off SaaS (remember when it was ASP?).

There's good and bad in every VC deal, and as founders you better execute like a mofo or expect the hammer of God to fall (as it should).

I recently pitched HW and also pitched them several years ago. For this most recent pitch, they cold called me after we received some positive press. I met with John and Lars; they were both smart and polite and when it became clear that we were competitive with another of their portfolio company's strategy, they told me immediately. The courtesy and ethical behavior was appreciated. I would happily pitch again. Several years ago I had a similar positive experience with Ann - a quick polite no with clear reasons why she passed.

HW has been around for nearly 20 years betting on small plays where they put a dollar in and are very happy to get 2-3 dollars back with small valuations and entry level teams. However, they are big and experienced enough now to move into a real first-tier firm, but are still somewhat afraid to "punch up" outside their self-perceived weight class.

The reason why Sequoia and (old) Kleiner have been so successful is their proven ability to weigh larger risks for larger rewards. The talent and dry powder is there at HW to move into the big time-- big potential companies in big markets that can change the world; but they need to step up and move out of incremental businesses for small paybacks to up-market VC where they really belong.

These are very, very smart people, and they have grown enough to evolve in their investments beyond the bush league and take their earned place among the players in building real $B businesses on Sand Hill Road.

Recently pitched Hummer Winblad.
I decided to do a little research on their recent investments to see how relevant we were to their strategy (we're essentially an ecommerce company). Omniture (IPO) and Move Networks appear to be a couple hot investments (Utah has been good to Hummer Winblad!).

Posted by
McFunded
on 2008-03-04

PUBLIC:

We had an opportunity to talk with Todd about our business, even though we're not ready for VC funding. He gave us a good hour and a half of his time, and provided some good ideas on how to position ourselves for funding. Not your typical VC who sits back in his chair with his arms crossed...

Recently pitched Ann Winblad. Although we weren't a good fit (stage and geography), she spent substantial time providing constructive feedback and broke out her Rolodex to suggest a few next steps. Her conversational, low-pressure style is refreshing, and I believe, makes for a better pitch.

Posted by
Anonymous
on 2007-12-31

PUBLIC:

HumWin contact us after hearing about that our company had a term sheet. We had a meeting the next day and partner's meeting the next day . In the end we were a bit further from Enterprise Software and they passed -- though they liked us and the business enough to refer us over to a firm that's better suited for our target market.

Posted by
mojojojo
on 2007-12-28

PUBLIC:

No wasted time. Twice got a considerate rejection email two days later. I know Mitchell Kertzman from operating roles he's had at other companies as well as some of his venture backed board roles. I find him to be bright and energetic in meetings. HumWin has been burned on a number of industries including interactive television and Internet (natch), and I would suggest only contacting them with Enterprise Software plays that are not too vertical.

Posted by
Screenie
on 2007-09-15

PUBLIC:

I met Will through an event at which my company pitched. Even though our area is not their area of focus, Will has helped me with a touch point to one of HumWin's portfolio companies, and has done calls with me to help me through some questions I've had. He's a class act, very smart, and a breath of fresh air in the VC industry.

I thought this firm's behavior was extreme and yet other comments affirm similar reactions. John H was late, and then abrupt and rude. He embarrassed his associate who called me later to apologize for the behavior and waste of time. This is a second tier firm with first tier ego and third tier character.

Posted by
Trendar
on 2008-03-25

PUBLIC:

As with other commenters, I have to say that Hummer Winblad in general and Ann Winblad in particular offer so much more than just money. Connections, contacts, guidance, high-quality candidates, and unlike other VCs they don't interfere, just help. I think they're especially helpful for early stage ventures and relatively inexperienced executive teams, but they can add value at any stage.

Posted by
Software Veteran
on 2007-08-08

PUBLIC:

Ann Winblad adds enormous value to any enterprise. She understands the unpredictability of high growth markets. She is smart, insightful and willing to use her connections to benefit her portfolio companies. Ann is personally low key and self-effacing. But she really does know everyone and is highly respected.

She built a successful company using very limited resources which helps her provide useful counsel as a board member. She cuts through typical board meeting reports to focus on key issues where her advice has been invaluable.

Posted by
playnogames
on 2007-05-05

PUBLIC:

Very impressed with both people. They really care about the business and are very enganged. I would never want to hand over a large equity stake to VC just for money. I want something more and people that work hard and both Ann and Will have certainly proven this to us.